2 - Child Friendly Places

To eatRodmersham Coffee/Shop
The Plough at Lewson Street, just off A2 after Teynham (check out the parrot in a cage in the bar). Has pub gardenwith climbing frame. Good food.
Ship Inn, Conyer (good food, manageress a character/slightly bonkers!)
Sun Inn, Bredgar (large pub garden with a climbing frame)
Ask Pizza, Faversham
Courtyard Restaurant & Café Brogdale (near Faversham) www.courtyard-restaurant.co.ukPosillipo (Italian restaurant), on the creekside in Faversham (also have a another one in Broadstairs overlooking the beach/seafront.
Barnyard, Upchurch www.the-barnyard.com

Other things to keep children occupiedWe really like the children’s theatre productions put on at the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury www.thegulbenkian.co.ukThe Marlowe theatre also has a number of childrens theatre workshops www.marlowetheatre.comThe Turner in Margate also puts on a number of childrens activities.
Further afield a trip to London; the large museums including the Natural History, Science, Victoria & Albert Museums are all free to get into (they ask for a donation) and they put on various activity days, have special children’s zones etc.

Swimming & BeachesFaversham Pools (indoor and outdoor pools including outdoor fun pool with rapids) www.favershampools.comSwallows in Sittingbourne
Whitstable has a swimming pool right next to the beach.
The nearest beaches are in Whitstable. Note the beaches there are pebbly, however there’s lots of activities there; sailing, windsurfing, Greta (Thames barge) is often moored in the harbour in the summer, jet skiing, lots of boutiques and independent shops and restaurants. There’s even a pub on/in the beach!
Joss Bay is a good sandy beach as is Broadstairs town beach. Broadstairs has a quaint seaside feel.
A secret beach is Westbrook Bay beach Margate, not too tidal and sandy even at high tide.
Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey
For the low down on beaches try here

3 - Bird Watching/Nature Reserves

Cromers Wood Nature Reserve, and Queensdown Warren Nature Reserve,near Sittingbourne
Tel; 01622 662012
www.kentwildlife.org.ukCromers Wood is a short walk from the cottages. A small reserve with a lovely pond and hide to watch the wildlife. Bluebells looking fabulous in spring time.

The Bleannear Faversham
Tel; 01227 862015
www.theblean.co.ukThe Blean, between Canterbury and Faversham, Whitstable and Herne Bay, includes the largest ancient woodlands in the south east. The outstanding natural and cultural heritage interest is promoted by regular newsletters, events and guided walks. There are over 120 miles of public footpaths, see website for further details.

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Parknear Faversham
Tel; 01634 855166
www.gunpowderworks.co.ukRenovated remains of gunpowder factory operating for 300 years until 1934. Industrial history and wildlife information boards throughout the site and in Visitor Centre including models. Site open every day, Visitor Centre weekends April to Nov, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Group guided tours and school visits by arrangement. Wheelchair accessible including toilets.

Oare Marsh, South Swale Nature Reservenear Faversham
Tel; 01622 662012
www.kentwildlife.org.ukTwo reserves either side of the mouth of the estuary, Oare can be viewed from the road with a Car Park right at the end of the road, there are three hides. Good for sea watching and waders. The south Swale requires a good walk to get to it a needs a few hours to enjoy the round trip.

Elmley Marsh Nature Reserve (RSPB) Isle of Sheppey
Tel; 01795 665969
www.rspb.org.uk/reservesEntering the Island by the old road and the entrance will be found on the right, if you go over the new bridge, you need to go to the first roundabout and double back on the old road and turn left, from this point its about 1.5 miles to the car park, drive slowly as you can see a number of birds, once at the car park, there is a long walk to the main hides. When visiting ask about the Raptor Watch point, a 15-20 drive from the reserve, well worth a visit at the right time of year.

In addition see our information folder that contains ideas of routes locally and around Kent. The cottages are approx. 1 mile from the No.1 cycle route that can be picked up in Tonge, just north of the A2. There’s a lovely route from Tonge, along the Swale, through Conyer to Faversham. There are a few hills (Rodmersham is on top of a hill!) enroute to Faversham. For the energetic you can cycle all around the Kent coast , you can always then get the train back to Sittingbourne if your legs don’t fancy the return journey! The Crab and Winkle (old train route between Whitstable & Canterbury) is a good ride – stopping off either end for refreshment. For those not scared of cycling up hills the North Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty officially starts 1 mile from the cottages, towards Milstead. There are some lovely villages to stop off in and follow the old Pilgrims Way - you can pick this up near Hollingbourne. Hollingbourne hill is very long and steep!

We have an anchor point to secure your bike to and a multi bike cover. We also have a puncture repair kit, wheel levers and lubricant stored in a box in the side board should you need to use them, please return to the cupboard after use.

We have 2 mountain bikes we can hire out; a ladies bike and a gentlemans bike. Please ask for details

Alternatively bikes can be hired in Canterbury, Whitstable or Herne from www.wcch.co.uk Tel 07791114529 for Whitstable hire. Charges range from £15 per day to £60 per week for an adult bike. See their website for more details.

5 - Walking

There are some great local walks, especially along the country footpaths along the Swale and up into the North Kent Downs.

Kent Wildlife Trust – Cromers Wood. Walk takes approx 30 mins from the cottage to the woods (1.5 miles one way); take Bottles Lane (lane between the village pond and Fruiterers Arms, follow it past the Squash club, the footpath just before the Cricket club through the woods (lots of bluebells in spring) and out onto Bottles Lane, at the end turn right down Cheney Hill and the first left onto Bottom Pond Road. Follow the road for about 200m, the entrance to Cromers Woods is on your RHS. To come back you can follow the footpath north out of the woods towards Highsted Farm, up Stockers Hill and back to the Green,

A stroll to the Red Lion pub (serves excellent food) at Milstead. Approx. 2 miles/ 40 minutes to the pub. Opposite the cottage is a footpath that takes you into the heart of a Kentish apple orchard into Pitstock Farm. Turn right onto Penfield Lane, at the end you turn left onto Slough Road, then take the path south through Minching Wood and then west leading you out onto a lane. At the end turn left onto Rawling Street. The Red Lion is on you LHS. After refreshment you might like to head south into the pretty village of Milstead (about 10 min walk) to see the thatched cottages and quaint church.

It is approx 2.5 miles/50 min walk across footpaths to the Black Lion at Lynsted. Head left out of the cottage, past the shop onto the main village green (north). Take the footpath at the end of the green to Rodmersham Court Farm, walk into the main farm yard and out to Church Street. Take the footpath opposite to Scuttington Manor and then onto Ludgate Road, head north along the road at the end turn left and the pub is on your left.

The Saxon Shore way is approx 2.5 miles from the cottage. When you pick it up you can follow it to Conyer, note on the other side of the Swale is Elmley Marshes an RSPB Nature Reserve, so take your binoculars, stop off at The Ship Inn or Conyer yacht club. Allow approx 2 hours. Directions: head left out of the cottage, past the shop onto the main village green (north). Take the footpath at the end of the green to Rodmersham Court Farm, walk into the main farm yard and left onto Church Street. Go past the Church, follow road for about 1 mile, take the right turning onto Panteny Lane. On the A2 cross over and take Hempstead Lane. At the fork in the road take the left turning through Tonge, past the mill and the pond. Go under the railway bridge and follow Church Road, past the Church on the right. At the next fork take the left. As the road bends sharply to the left and you see Little Murston Nature Reserve in front of you (a lake) take the Saxon Shoreway footpath to the right, follow this past Little Murston (formerly Mo Mowlem’s home). The Saxon Shoreway will take you to Conyer and beyond. For the energetic it will take you to Faversham and Whitstable etc. You can always get the train back to Sittingbourne if you don’t fancy the return walk!

The Peasants’ Last Revolt (5.25 miles)Cherry, apple, pear and plum orchards abound in this bountiful landscape, one of the best walks in Kent. The White Horse and Queens Head pubs in Boughton, the Woodrose café at Mount Ephraim, the Three Horseshoes at Staple Street, the Red Lion at Hernhill and the Dove at Dargate all serve good food, Kent ales and other fine drinks, and all offer a warm welcome to visitors. Lamberhurst Farm diary is famed for its original, hand-crafted cheeses

A Walk on the Wild Side (7.5 miles)From town into the wide open spaces of waterside nature reserves, this is one of the finest circular walks in Kent with a variety of food and drink attractions. As well as passing A J Barkaway’s award-winning butchers, famed for home-made pies, the route passes town centre eating houses before heading into the country. Local fisherman Bluey Walpole has fresh catch on sale at Oare while the Luddenham Court farm-shop sells meats from animals born and reared on the farm. The Three Mariners and the Castle pubs at Oare both offer good food.

Syndale Valley Walk (6.5/11 miles)Country walking at its best – you will be at the top of the Downs on this walk through woods and copses dedicated to breeding game birds. Its ancient country pubs, the George at Newnham, the Chequers at Doddington, the Carpenters at Eastling and the Plough at Stalisfield are all well-regarded eateries with beer gardens for the summer and cosy bars for the winter.
S W Doughty in Doddington is an award winning butcher famed for their local products.

Earth, Wind and Water (5 /11 miles)A walk that sums up north Kent’s agriculture with its hop gardens, orchards, grazing land, arable fields and fruit-filled poly-tunnels. From Faversham’s Phoenix Tavern and Anchor Inn to the Four Horseshoes at Graveney and the Michelin-starred Sportsman gastro-pub at Seasalter there is a variety of fine food on offer, but don’t forget, if you want to go to the Sportsman, you need to book well in advance. You might also see famed Seasalter lamb grazing on the Graveney marshes, bred especially for their succulent, salt-flavoured meat.

The Two Creeks (5 miles)Hedges filled in season with elderberries and blackberries line fields of salt marsh grazing and fertile arable acres as you move between town and country on this historic trail. Shepherd Neame’s centuries old Faversham brewery is en route as are the trendy Osteria Posillipo Pizzeria and the Mexican delights of the Albion Taverna. The enigmatic Shipwrights Arms stands on the Hollow Shore creekside and Oare’s Three Mariners and Castle pubs are just a step from the route. You pass allotments on the way back to town.

Footsteps of Royalty and Romans (6.25 miles)The past, present and future of English agriculture are all on show along one of the best walking routes in Kent that starts in the heart of market town Faversham, but soon enters glorious countryside. The National Fruit Collections at Brogdale Farm are home to thousands of varieties of fruit while Shepherd Neame maintains a private gene-bank of hop varieties from across the world. The area’s rolling farmland produces fine crops of fruit and cereals, while its woods yield old-fashioned Kent cobnuts, once grown in plantations across the county. The Alma at Painter’s Forstal is a fine village pub offering food and Sheps’ fine ales.

First Fruit (2/5.5 miles)One of the most secret yet striking locations in Kent, awash with prolific orchards and with impressive yet homely countryside walking. The original home of English cherries from five centuries ago and now home to 21st century growers and producers who supply the nation with wholesome fruit and organic juices. The Dover Castle at Teynham and the Plough at Lewson Street are both pubs well-regarded for their welcoming atmosphere and good food and drink.

A Land for all Seasons (9.25 miles)This part of rural England has it all, from cereal growing and a dairy herd, to luscious fruit orchards and crops of lavender, marigolds and linseed for oils and skin care products. Perry Wood is a fascinating area with fantastic vantage points and beautiful countryside walking on its steep slopes. The White Lion at Selling and the Rose and Crown at Perry Wood are both pubs famed for the quality of their Kent food and drink.